Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-05-22
WHITE FLOWER;
s. THE COMANCHE'S DREAM.
a Romance OF Savage Chivalry and
Texan Valor in the Days
gss,ssss se Slavery.
BY the Late COL. Il. u. @. JUDsoN

(NED BUNTLINE.)
copyright, 1887, by William caldwell. AL
rights reserved.
CHAPTER LVI.
$50, Miss Ada, your compact to not annoy
any one in this state, and not to permit
any of your band to do it, has been very
suddenly ans easily broken,' said the
Major, as he rode up to her tent on the
morning which followed the event mar
rated II the last chapter.
81 do not understand you, sir!n she
said. "When 1 returned last night you
had no complaint to make OF my men
they were all here when | reached the
camp; and IS l at once retired when
entered by tent, worn out with fatigue,
have heard nothing, know nothing what
ever against them "
'Where is Jack Malerson" asked the
Major.
Gin the csmp, presume-he was there
when / returned. Call him." said she to
one of her men.
"You'n have to call loud and long in
this camp, and then without avail" said
the Major. she lies at La Bulsa de
Flores with broken head, without much
chance of recovery. He broke into the
house last night, probably intent on rob-
berry, and nearly murdered Mrs. Delorme
while she was sounding the alarm"
"He is almost dead, you saY?" asked
Ada.
eyes; he was still senseless when
same away"
81 wish he was quite dead He has not
particle of honor in his breast!'' said
Ada. 81 hope, SIR" she added, to the
Major, ''that you will dc me the justice
to believe that did not have anything to
do with this matter-that [ did not dream
of his intended aGtion-for if I had it
should have been prevented"
"I believe you," said the Major. "You
may as well ride back with me and see
what is determined In regard to his fate
and after that 1 will furnish your men
with their arms ard see them started
| toward the Mexican borders!"
"OGe word to my men, if you please,
Major, and / will be ready TO 60 with
You!"
The Major nodded assent, and Ada
ordered the men to be assembled. The
! graceless crew soon got together, the
most of them wearing the sickish, sheep
stealing look of men who had been drunk
over night.
| "Men," said Ada to them; 'fwe would
now be ready to leave this camp and 90
upon our businossi if it had not been for. the
actions Of your former leader, John
! Malerson. He has broken our compact
with this gentleman, and the consequence
| is that he has been dangerously wounded
while committing midnight depreGations,
and certainly forfeited, perhaps lost, his
! life. Let his fate be q lesson 10 you and
| teach you that even among thieves honor
should be found! l 60 to see him and
command you not to stir from the camp
until l return. Disobey me and | leave
you to your fate-obey me and will lead
tyou 10 victory and to wealth."
! The reply of the men came in faint
Cheer-the debauch of the previous night
had untitled them for strong one.
Ada now armed herself as usual, and
mounting her horse signitied her readi-
ness to accompany the Major to the plan
tation.
For little while the Major rode on in
silence by her side, and then suddenly ex-
claimed as if he had been thinking of
something very important in his mind:
"What pity! what pity"
"Who do you so pity-of what are you
thinking?" said Ada.
ei0f you, Ads; so brave, so honorable,
so beautiful! You are not fit to be asso-
ciatedwith such set of unmitigated
scouAdrels!"
4ISay again, Has told you once before
'PfFF-cGahmand them, but do not associate
with them. | scorn them as much as you
des5a and l only remain with them now be-
sBause should die without excitement,
sand because | know l can restrain their
seXCesses. | shall maintain a strict dis
dipline over them if have to shoot one
down in his tracks now and then. II any
of them dare to attempt the least familiar
ity in look, word or deed, their punish
ment shall be swift and sure, and such as
will deter others from following their eX-
ample."
"You are brave girl-almost fit to
lead my rangers"
81 would l were; for it is their happi-
ness and pride to protect the helpless,
and to punish the cruel and lawless. But
am lost-lost. lost"
"No; do not say that. 1t is never too
late to turn over new leaf. Leave this
band, resume the dress of your sex, 60
where you are not known, and-and-"
The Msj IT hesjtated, and then came to
q full stop. "a
"And WHAT" asked Ada, fixing her
large, beautiful eyes full upon him.
"You should never want dollar for
your support while l lived" said the
Major; then, fearing that she might mis- |
understand him he hastily added: Though |
might never see you, / would act as q
brother should toward q once erring but !
sister"
Heaven bless you" said Ada, in a |
voice which struggled through q thicket |
of suppressed sobs. " Heaven bless you,
out it cannot be! NJ doom is told, my |
fate is written, and my path is dark one
and ends in blood"
The plantation gate was near and they
now rode on in silence.
CHAPTER Lvu.
The Major and Ada soon arrived at the
Mr.. Delorme, who appeared |
dreadful!y agi.ated, was walking wildly
to and fro upon the plszZs.
What IS the matter, dear sir; any bad
news from your dadghterf" asked the
Major, as he approached the planter.
'tNot from her-not from her!" said
the agatated msn, while his face, deadly
pale, and his frame, quivering as if with
ggue, told of some terrible struggle 60
ING, on within his breast.
MS that scoundrel Malerson dead?"
asked the Major, utterly at 8 loss to
kno Tswhst it was which added new trou
pletS the heavy load already borne by
~ wish TO God ne wss-I wish you had
killed MIN st blow, before he could
have been the mouthpiece of my shame
me herald of nv deGradstioniD grosned